Ex-Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh ready to appear before the CBI within 48 hours

Param Bir Singh, a former Mumbai police commissioner, said the Supreme Court on Monday that he is ready to appear before the CBI within the next 48 hours to participate in the ongoing investigation into extortion accusations levelled against the state's former home minister, Anil Deshmukh.

After hearing Singh's case, the Supreme Court gave him interim protection from arrest and ordered him to cooperate with the CBI inquiry as soon as possible.

Param Bir Singh's lawyer previously told the Supreme Court that his client has been hiding because the Mumbai Police are threatening his life. His lawyer informed the Supreme Court that Param Bir Singh is still in the country and is not absconding.

While granting Singh protection from arrest in criminal cases filed against him in Maharashtra, the Supreme Court also sought statements from the state government, its DGP, and the CBI on his petition.

Singh has been charged frame-up in criminal cases after accusing then-Maharashtra home minister Anil Deshmukh of corruption. Singh has requested a CBI investigation into the entire matter involving him, in addition to protection against coercion.

Singh, who had accused the then Maharashtra home minister Anil Deshmukh of corruption, has alleged frame-up in criminal cases. Besides seeking protection from coercive steps, Singh has also sought a CBI probe into the entire issue involving him.

The Supreme Court consented to hear Param Bir Singh's case, served notice on the Maharashtra government and the CBI, and set a hearing date for December 6th. On Singh's petition, a bench of Justices S K Kaul and M M Sundresh issued notices to the Maharashtra government, DGP Sanjay Pande, and the CBI.

"Issue notice. Returnable on December 6. In the meantime, the petitioner shall join the investigation and shall not be arrested," the bench ordered.